Matthew Ellis

Centre Director

Matt Ellis is the former Manager at Eden Valley Centre and the Deputy General Manager at Outward Bound Ullswater and the Outdoor Education Advisor for Cumbria and the Lake District National Park.

He has worked professionally in outdoor education and training for over 25yrs and is currently the Centre Director at Derwent Hill Outdoor Education Centre.

Matt is regularly asked to speak at local, regional and national events and has been a presenter at numerous high profile conferences and seminars. He is a full member of the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel and a long standing member of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres. Matt has been expert witness on several occasions and has worked extensively as an external consultant and advisor. He has had several articles published in outdoor magazines and professional journals and believes passionately in the value of outdoor and experiential learning.

Matt open canoeing on the River Esk's white water rapids

Matt is a British Canoeing Level 5 Coach and the former Regional Coaching Organiser and Chair of Cumbria Canoeists. He was a member of the original group who together with Professor David Hopkins set up Adventure Learning Schools.

Matt has recently become a British Canoeing Endorsed Guide he has completed the Guide’s Scheme because he believes in the leadership and guiding pathway that is now available through the British Canoeing range of awards.

For more information please see the link and the PDF article it contains: https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2019/matt-ellis-endorsed-guide

Matt remains an active outdoor enthusiast and has been lucky to paddle, ski and climb in several beautiful places around the globe but always enjoys returning to the Eden Valley and the English Lake District. Matt’s philosophy can be summarised as ‘I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand’ combined with a love and sense of responsibility for wild places.

As a designer and trainer Matt has worked with a wide variety of high profile internationally respected companies.

‘We always hope to achieve the right balance between achieving the training aims, memorable experiences and enjoying the process.’